Mechanically stabilized earth system and method

ABSTRACT

Example may provide a system for constructing a mechanically stabilized earth structure. The system may include a soil reinforcing element having a plurality of transverse wires coupled with a pair of longitudinal wires and a wire facing having a bend formed therein to form a horizontal element and a vertical facing. The pair of longitudinal wires may have lead ends that may converge and may be coupled with a connection stud having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled with the lead ends and the second end comprises a connector bent with respect to the first end. At least the connection stud and the pair of longitudinal wires may be coplanar. The connector is coupled with at least one vertical wire of the vertical facing such that the soil reinforcing element swivels in a horizontal plane about the at least one vertical wire.

BACKGROUND

Retaining wall structures that use horizontally positioned soil inclusions to reinforce an earth mass in combination with a facing element are referred to as mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structures. MSE structures may be used for various applications including retaining walls, bridge abutments, dams, seawalls, and dikes.

The basic MSE implementation is a repetitive process where layers of backfill and horizontally-placed soil reinforcing elements are positioned one atop the other until a desired height of the earthen structure is achieved. Typically, grid-like steel mats or welded wire mesh are used as soil reinforcing elements. In most applications, the soil reinforcing elements consist of parallel, transversely-extending wires welded to parallel, longitudinally-extending wires, thus forming a grid-like mat or structure. Backfill material and the soil reinforcing mats are combined and compacted in series to form a solid earthen structure, taking the form of a standing earthen wall.

In some instances, the soil reinforcing elements may be attached or otherwise coupled to a substantially vertical wall either forming part of the MSE structure or offset a short distance therefrom. The vertical wall is typically made either of concrete or a steel wire facing. The soil reinforcing elements extending from the compacted backfill may be attached directly to the vertical wall in a variety of configurations. The vertical wall not only serves to provide tensile resistance to the soil reinforcing elements but also prevents erosion of the MSE.

Although there are several methods of attaching soil reinforcing elements to facing structures, it nonetheless remains desirable to find improved attachment methods and systems that provide greater resistance to shear forces inherent in such structures.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments may provide a system for constructing a mechanically stabilized earth structure. The system may include a soil reinforcing element having a plurality of transverse wires coupled with a pair of longitudinal wires and a wire facing having a bend formed therein to form a horizontal element and a vertical facing. The pair of longitudinal wires may have lead ends that may converge and may be coupled with a connection stud having a first end and a second end. The first end may be coupled with the lead ends and the second end may comprise a connector bent with respect to the first end. At least the connection stud and the pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element may be coplanar. The vertical facing may have a plurality of vertical wires coupled with a plurality of facing cross wires and the connector may be coupled with at least one vertical wire of the plurality of vertical wires such that the soil reinforcing element may be configured to swivel in a horizontal plane about the at least one vertical wire.

Example embodiments may provide a method of constructing a mechanically stabilized earth structure. The method may include providing a first lift comprising a first wire facing being bent to form a first horizontal element and a first vertical facing. The first vertical facing may have a plurality of vertical wires coupled with a plurality of facing cross wires. The method may further include coupling a soil reinforcing element to at least one vertical wire of the first vertical facing using a connection stud such that the soil reinforcing element swivels in a horizontal plane about the at least one vertical wire, placing a screen on the first wire facing whereby the screen covers at least a portion of the first vertical facing and the first horizontal element, and placing backfill on the first lift to a height of the first vertical facing. The soil reinforcing element may comprise a plurality of transverse wires coupled with a pair of longitudinal wires. The pair of longitudinal wires may have lead ends coupled with the connection stud having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled with the lead ends and the second end comprises a connector bent with respect to the first end, and at least the connection stud and the pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element are coplanar.

Example embodiments may provide a system for constructing a mechanically stabilized earth structure. The system may include a wire facing bent to form a horizontal element and a vertical facing, a soil reinforcing element having a pair of longitudinal wires and a plurality of transverse wires coupled together, and a screen disposed on the wire facing. The vertical facing may have a plurality of vertical wires coupled with a plurality of facing cross wires. The plurality of vertical wires may include a plurality of connector leads and each connector lead may comprise a pair of vertical wires laterally offset from each other by a short distance. The pair of longitudinal wires may have lead ends coupled with a connection stud having a first end and a second end. The first end may be coupled with the lead ends and the second end may comprise a connector bent with respect to the first end. At least the connection stud and the pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element may be coplanar. The soil reinforcing element may be coupled with a connector lead of the plurality of connector leads such that the soil reinforcing element may swivel in a horizontal plane about the connector lead.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying Figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a soil reinforcing element, according to one or more embodiments disclosed.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a wire facing, according to one or more embodiments disclosed.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the soil reinforcing element of FIG. 1A coupled with the wire facing of FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments disclosed.

FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of the soil reinforcing element of FIG. 1A coupled with the wire facing of FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments disclosed.

FIG. 1E is a rear perspective view of the soil reinforcing element coupled with the wire facing as shown in FIG. 1D.

FIG. 1F is a perspective view of the soil reinforcing element of FIG. 1A coupled with the wire facing of FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments disclosed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of the soil reinforcing elements of FIG. 1A coupled with a wire facing of FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments disclosed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two wire facings, each of the wire facings similar to the wire facing of FIG. 1B and including a plurality of soil reinforcing elements, the wire facings stacked atop one another, according to one or more embodiments disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the various Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Finally, the exemplary embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” All numerical values in this disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope. Furthermore, as it is used in the claims or specification, the term “or” is intended to encompass both exclusive and inclusive cases, i.e., “A or B” is intended to be synonymous with “at least one of A and B,” unless otherwise expressly specified herein.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a soil reinforcing element 102, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. The soil reinforcing element 102 may be configured for securing to a wire facing 104 (FIG. 1B) in the construction of an MSE structure. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the soil reinforcing element 102 may include a welded wire grid having a pair of longitudinal wires 106 that extend substantially parallel to each other. The longitudinal wires 106 may be joined to a plurality of transverse wires 108 in a generally perpendicular fashion by welds at their intersections, thus forming a welded wire gridworks. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the spacing between each longitudinal wire 106 may be about 2 in., while the spacing between each transverse wire 108 may be about 6 in. As may be appreciated, however, the spacing and configuration of adjacent respective wires 106, 108 may vary for a variety of reasons, such as the combination of tensile force requirements that the soil reinforcing element 102 must endure and resist.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the lead ends 110 of the longitudinal wires 106 may generally converge and be welded or otherwise attached to a connection stud 112. The connection stud 112 may include a first end or stem 114 and a second end or connector 116. As illustrated, the stem 114 may include a plurality of indentations or grooves 118 defined along its axial length. The grooves 118 may be cast or otherwise machined into the stem 114 thereby providing a more suitable welding surface for attaching the lead ends 110 of the longitudinal wires 106 thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the grooves 118 may include standard thread markings. As may be appreciated, this may result in a stronger resistance weld. In an exemplary embodiment, the connector 116 may be hook-shaped and bent or otherwise turned about 180° from the axial direction of the stem 114 resulting in the connection stud having a hook-shape configured to couple or otherwise attach to the wire facing 104, as will be described below. In another exemplary embodiment, the connector 116 may be bent such that at least the longitudinal wires 106 of the soil reinforcing element 102 and the connector 116 are coplanar.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a wire facing 104, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. Referring to FIG. 1B, the wire facing 104 may be fabricated from several lengths of cold drawn wire welded and arranged into a mesh panel. The wire mesh panel may then be folded to form a substantially L-shaped structure including a horizontal element 120 and a vertical facing 122. The horizontal element 120 may include a plurality of horizontal wires 124 welded or otherwise attached to a plurality of cross wires 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross wires 126 may include an initial wire 126 a and a terminal wire 126 b. The initial wire 126 a may be disposed proximate to the vertical facing 122 and the terminal wire 126 b may be disposed at or near the distal ends of the horizontal wires 124.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a plurality of horizontal connector leads 124 a-h may be equidistantly spaced from each other along the horizontal element 120. In an exemplary embodiment, each horizontal connector lead 124 a-h may include a pair of horizontal wires 124 laterally offset from each other by a short distance, such as about 1 inch. While the horizontal wires 124 adjacent the horizontal connector leads 124 a-h may be generally spaced from each other by about 4 inches on center, each horizontal connector lead 124 a-h may be spaced from each other by about 12 inches on center. As may be appreciated, however, such distances may vary to suit particular applications dependent on varying stresses inherent in MSE structures.

The vertical facing 122 may include a plurality of vertical wires 128 extending vertically with reference to the horizontal element 120 and equidistantly spaced from each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the vertical wires 128 may be vertical extensions of the horizontal wires 124 of the horizontal element 120. Furthermore, the horizontal connector leads 124 a-h from the horizontal element 120 may also extend vertically into the vertical facing 122, referred to as vertical connector leads 124 a-h and including a pair of vertical wires 128 laterally offset from each other by a short distance, such as about 1 inch. The vertical connector leads 124 a-h may be configured to provide a visual indicator to an installer as to where a soil reinforcing element 102 may be properly attached, as will be described in greater detail below. The vertical facing 122 may also include a plurality of facing cross wires 130 vertically offset from each other and welded or otherwise attached to both the vertical wires 128 and vertical connector leads 124 a-h. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the vertical wires 128 may be equidistantly separated by a distance of about 4 inches and the facing cross wires 130 may be equidistantly separated from each other by a distance of about 4 inches, thereby generating a grid-like facing composed of a plurality of square voids having a 4″×4″ dimension. As may be appreciated, however, the spacing between adjacent wires 128, 130 may be varied to more or less than 4 inches to suit varying applications.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the soil reinforcing element of FIG. 1A coupled with the wire facing of FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. The soil reinforcing element 102 may be coupled to the wire facing 104 by coupling the connection stud 112 to the vertical connector leads 124 a-h of the vertical facing 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, the connector 116 (of a connection stud 112) may be coupled or otherwise “hooked” to a vertical connector lead 124 e of the vertical facing 122, thereby preventing the removal of the connector 116 from the vertical facing 122 in a direction indicated by an arrow A. When coupled to the vertical connector lead 124 e, the soil reinforcing element 102 may pivot or swivel about the vertical connector lead 124 e in a horizontal plane with reference to the vertical facing 122. Also with reference to FIG. 1C, when coupled to the vertical connector lead 124 e, the connector 116 may “hook” onto both the vertical wires 128 of the vertical connector lead 124 e. Although illustrated as coupled or “hooked” to the vertical connector lead 124 e, it will be understood that the connector 116 (and thus the soil reinforcing element 102) may be similarly coupled or “hooked” to any of the vertical connector leads 124 a-d, 124 f-h. It will be understood that an inner diameter of the bend of the connector 116 may be large enough for the soil reinforcing element 102 to pivot or swivel in a horizontal plane about the vertical connector leads 124 a-h with relative ease when coupled thereto. Alternatively or additionally, the spacing between the vertical wires 128 of the vertical connector leads 124 a-h may be small enough for the soil reinforcing element 102 to pivot or swivel in a horizontal plane about the vertical connector leads 124 a-h with relative ease when coupled thereto.

FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of the soil reinforcing element of FIG. 1A coupled with and the wire facing of FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. FIG. 1E is a rear perspective view of the soil reinforcing element coupled with the wire facing as shown in FIG. 1D. Referring to FIGS. 1D and 1E, the connector 116 may be coupled or otherwise “hooked” to the vertical connector lead 124 e of the vertical facing 122 via a connection device 132, e.g., a J-bar. Herein, the connector 116 may be coupled to only one of the vertical wires 128 of the vertical connector lead 124 e, as discussed below. The J-bar 132 may include a vertical segment 134 having a first end or connector 136 and a second end or a horizontal segment 138. The connector 136 may be hook-shaped and bent or otherwise turned about 180° from the axial direction of the vertical segment 134 and configured to couple or otherwise attach to a facing cross wire 130 of the wire facing 104. The horizontal segment 138 may be disposed generally perpendicular to the vertical segment 134.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1D and 1 E, the connection stud 112 may couple or “hook” onto one of the pair of vertical wires 128 of the vertical connection lead 124 e adjacent an intersection of the vertical wire 128 and a facing cross wire 130 a (of the plurality of facing cross wires 130). When coupled, the connector 116 and the facing cross wire 130 a may define an opening 140 therebetween. The J-bar 132 may be disposed such that the vertical segment 134 passes through the opening 140, the connector 136 hooks onto a facing cross wire 130 b immediately above the facing cross wire 130 a, and a facing cross wire 130 c immediately below the facing cross wire 130 a is disposed at or adjacent an intersection of the horizontal segment 138 and the vertical segment 134. Although illustrated as coupled or “hooked” to the vertical connector lead 124 e, it will be understood that the connector 116 (and thus the soil reinforcing element 102) may be similarly coupled or “hooked” to any of the vertical connector leads 124 a-d, 124 f-h. It will also be understood that an inner diameter of the bend of the connector 116 may be large enough for the soil reinforcing element 102 to contain the vertical wire 128 and the vertical segment 134 of the J-bar 132 therein and pivot or swivel about the vertical wire 128 and the vertical segment 134 with relative ease.

FIG. 1F is a perspective view of the soil reinforcing element of FIG. 1A coupled with the wire facing of FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. The soil reinforcing element 102 may be coupled to a vertical wire 128 of the vertical facing 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 1F, the connector 116 may be coupled or otherwise “hooked” to a vertical wire 128 of the vertical facing 122, thereby preventing its removal therefrom in a direction indicated by an arrow A. It will be understood that an inner diameter of the bend of the connector 116 may be large enough for the soil reinforcing element 102 to pivot or swivel in a horizontal plane about the vertical wire 128 with relative ease when coupled thereto.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the soil reinforcing elements 102 coupled to a wire facing 104, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. Referring to FIG. 2, a screen 302 may be disposed on the wire facing 104 after the soil reinforcing elements 102 have been connected as generally described above. In an exemplary embodiment, the screen 302 may be disposed on both the vertical facing 122 and the horizontal element 120. As illustrated, the screen 302 may be disposed on substantially all of the vertical facing 122 and only a portion of the horizontal element 120. In another exemplary embodiment, however, the screen 302 may be disposed in different configurations, such as covering the entire horizontal element 120 or only a portion of the vertical facing 122. The screen 302 may be configured to prevent fine backfill material from leaking, eroding, and/or raveling out of the vertical facing 122. In an exemplary embodiment, the screen 302 may be a layer of filter fabric. In another exemplary embodiment, however, the screen 302 may include construction hardware cloth or a fine wire mesh. In still other exemplary embodiments, the screen 302 may include a layer of cobble, such as large rocks that may not advance through the square voids defined in the vertical facing 122, but which may be small enough to hold back backfill material.

The wire facing 104 may further include one or more struts 304 operatively coupled to the wire facing 104. As illustrated, the struts 304 may be coupled to both the vertical facing 122 and the horizontal element 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the struts 304 may be coupled to the wire facing 104 before backfill is added thereto. Once in position, the struts 304 may allow backfill to be positioned on both the horizontal elements 120 and vertical facings 122 until reaching the top or vertical height of the vertical facing 122. The struts 304 may allow installers to walk on the MSE structure, tamp the MSE structure, and compact the MSE structure fully before adding a new lift or layer, as will be described below.

During the placement of backfill, and during the life of the wire facing 104, the struts 304 may prevent the vertical facing 122 from bending past a predetermined vertical angle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the struts 304 may be configured to maintain the vertical facing 122 at or near about 90° from the horizontal element 120. As may be appreciated, however, the struts 304 may be fabricated to varying lengths or otherwise attached at varying locations along the wire facing 104 to maintain the vertical facing 122 at different angles of orientation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the struts 304 may be coupled to the top-most cross wire 130 a of the vertical facing 122 at a first end 306 a of the strut 304 and to the terminal wire 126 b of the horizontal element 120 at a second end 306 b of the strut 304. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each strut 304 may be coupled to the top-most cross wire 130 a and terminal wire 126 b in general alignment with the connector leads 124 a-h where the soil reinforcing elements 102 may also be coupled (FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E). In another exemplary embodiment, however, the struts 304 may be connected at any location along the axial length of the top-most cross wire 130 a and terminal wire 126 b, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the struts 304 may be coupled to a segment of a vertical wire 128 of the vertical facing 122 and a segment of a horizontal wire 124 of the horizontal element 120, respectively, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Each strut 304 may be prefabricated with a connection device (not shown) at each end 306 a,b configured to fastened or otherwise attach the struts 304 to both the horizontal element 120 and the vertical facing 122. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection device may include a hook that is bent about 180° back upon itself and coupled to the ends 306 a,b of the struts 304. In another exemplary embodiment, the connection device may include a wire loop disposed at each end 306 a,b of the struts 304 that may be manipulated, clipped, or tied to the both the horizontal element 120 and the vertical facing 122. As may be appreciated, however, the struts 304 may be coupled to the horizontal element 120 and the vertical facing 122 by any practicable method or device known in the art.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two wire facings 104, each of the wire facings 104 similar to the wire facing 104 of FIG. 1B and including a plurality of soil reinforcing elements 102, the wire facings 104 stacked atop one another, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. Referring to FIG. 3, the wire facings 104 stacked atop one another may form a plurality of lifts 308, 310 configured to build an MSE structure wall to a required height. Each wire facing 104 of each lift 308, 310 may include the elements generally described above and illustrated in FIG. 2. While only two lifts 308, 310 are shown, it will be appreciated that any number of lifts may be used to fit a particular application and desired height. As illustrated, a first lift 308 may be disposed substantially below a second lift 310 and the horizontal elements 120 of each lift 308, 310 may be oriented substantially parallel to and vertically offset from each other. The angle of orientation for the vertical facings 122 of each lift 308, 310 may be similar or may vary, depending on the application. For example, the vertical facings 122 of each lift 308, 310 may be disposed at angles less than or greater than 90°.

In an exemplary embodiment, the vertical facings 122 of each lift 308, 310 may be substantially parallel and continuous, thereby constituting an unbroken vertical ascent. In another exemplary embodiment, however, the vertical facings 122 of each lift 308, 310 may be laterally offset from each other. For example, the disclosure also contemplates exemplary embodiments where the vertical facing 122 of the second lift 310 may be disposed behind or in front of the vertical facing 122 of the first lift 308, and so on until the MSE wall is built to its full height.

Because of the added strength derived from the struts 304, each lift 308, 310 may be free from contact with any adjacent lift 308, 310. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the first lift 308 may have backfill placed thereon up to or near the vertical height of the vertical panel 122 and compacted so that the second lift 310 may be placed completely on the compacted backfill of the first lift 308 therebelow. In prior art, the vertical face 122 of the first lift 308 is tied into the vertical face 122 of the second lift 310 to prevent an outward displacement of the first lift 308; however, exemplary embodiments may allow each lift 308, 310 to be relatively free from physical engagement with each other. This may prove advantageous during settling of the MSE structure. For instance, where adjacent lifts 308, 310 are not in contact with each other, the wire facings 104 may settle without causing the adjacent lifts 308, 310 to bind on each other, which may potentially diminish the structural integrity of the MSE structure. This may not, however, mean that the lifts may not be coupled together. Instead, exemplary embodiments contemplated herein also include configurations where the distal ends of the vertical wires 128 of the first lift 308 include hooks or other elements that may be attached to the succeeding lift 310, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The soil reinforcing element 102 having the connection stud 112, according to exemplary embodiments disclosed above, may offer numerous advantages over prior art soil reinforcing elements. For instance, the soil reinforcing element may pivot or swivel in the horizontal plane to avoid obstructions. The connector 116 may settle with the backfill by attaching the connector 116 to a vertical wire 128 at a location below a facing cross wire 130 of the vertical facing. Also, the connector 116 may be attached to a “high” load vertical J-bar. The orientation of the connector 116 may allow the wire facing 104 to lay “flat” when stacked in a bundle to aid in shipping.

The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

I claim:
 1. A system for constructing a mechanically stabilized earth structure, comprising: a soil reinforcing element having a plurality of transverse wires coupled with a pair of longitudinal wires, wherein the pair of longitudinal wires have lead ends that converge and are coupled with a connection stud having a first end and a second end, the first end is coupled with the lead ends and the second end comprises a connector bent with respect to the first end, and at least the connection stud and the pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element are coplanar; and a wire facing having a bend formed therein to form a horizontal element and a vertical facing, the vertical facing having a plurality of vertical wires coupled with a plurality of facing cross wires, wherein the connector is coupled with at least one vertical wire of the plurality of vertical wires such that the soil reinforcing element is configured to swivel in a horizontal plane about the at least one vertical wire.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is a hook bent about 180° with respect to the first end of the connection stud and configured to be hooked onto the at least one vertical wire.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the vertical facing further comprises a plurality of connector leads, each connector lead of the plurality of connector leads comprising a pair of vertical wires of the plurality of vertical wires laterally offset from each other by a short distance.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the pair of vertical wires includes the at least one vertical wire and the connector is coupled with a connector lead of the plurality of connector leads such that the soil reinforcing element is configured to pivot in a horizontal plane about the connector lead.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the pair of vertical wires includes the at least one vertical wire and the connector is hooked onto the at least one vertical wire adjacent an intersection of the at least one vertical wire and a first facing cross wire of the plurality of facing cross wires.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein a portion of a connection device is disposed in an opening defined by the first facing cross wire and the connector, the connection device having a first end coupled with a second facing cross wire above the first facing cross wire and a second end disposed at or adjacent a third facing cross wire below the first facing cross wire.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a strut having a first end coupled with the vertical facing and a second end coupled with the horizontal element, the strut being configured to maintain the vertical facing at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal element.
 8. A method of constructing a mechanically stabilized earth structure, comprising: providing a first lift comprising a first wire facing being bent to form a first horizontal element and a first vertical facing, the first vertical facing having a plurality of vertical wires coupled with a plurality of facing cross wires; coupling a soil reinforcing element to at least one vertical wire of the first vertical facing using a connection stud such that the soil reinforcing element swivels in a horizontal plane about the at least one vertical wire, wherein the soil reinforcing element comprises a plurality of transverse wires coupled with a pair of longitudinal wires, the pair of longitudinal wires have lead ends coupled with the connection stud having a first end and a second end, the first end is coupled with the lead ends and the second end comprises a connector bent with respect to the first end, and at least the connection stud and the pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element are coplanar; placing a screen on the first wire facing whereby the screen covers at least a portion of the first vertical facing and the first horizontal element; and placing backfill on the first lift to a height of the first vertical facing.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: coupling a first end of a strut to the first vertical facing and a second end of the strut to the first horizontal element, the strut being configured to maintain the first vertical facing at a predetermined angle with respect to the first horizontal element.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: placing a second lift on the backfill of the first lift, the second lift comprising a second wire facing being bent to form a second horizontal element and a second vertical facing.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second lift is at least partially supported by the backfill of the first lift and the first vertical facing and the second vertical facing are laterally offset from each other.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the soil reinforcing element is coupled with the at least one vertical wire using the connector, the connector being a hook bent about 180° with respect to the first end of the connection stud and configured to be hooked onto the at least one vertical wire.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the first vertical facing further comprises a plurality of connector leads, each connector lead of the plurality of connector leads comprising a pair of vertical wires of the plurality of vertical wires laterally offset from each other by a short distance.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pair of vertical wires includes the at least one vertical wire and the soil reinforcing element is coupled with the connector lead such that the soil reinforcing element is configured to pivot in the horizontal plane about the connector lead.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the pair of vertical wires includes the at least one vertical wire and the soil reinforcing element is coupled with the connector lead via the connector, the connector being hooked onto the at least one vertical wire adjacent an intersection of the at least one vertical wire and a first facing cross wire of the plurality of facing cross wires.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a portion of a connection device is disposed in an opening defined by the first facing cross wire and the connector, the connection device having a first end coupled with a second facing cross wire above the first facing cross wire and a second end disposed at or adjacent a third facing cross wire below the first facing cross wire.
 17. A system for constructing a mechanically stabilized earth structure, comprising: a wire facing bent to form a horizontal element and a vertical facing, the vertical facing having a plurality of vertical wires coupled with a plurality of facing cross wires, the plurality of vertical wires including a plurality of connector leads, each connector lead comprising a pair of vertical wires laterally offset from each other by a short distance; a soil reinforcing element having a pair of longitudinal wires and a plurality of transverse wires coupled together, wherein the pair of longitudinal wires have lead ends coupled with a connection stud having a first end and a second end, the first end is coupled with the lead ends and the second end comprises a connector bent with respect to the first end, at least the connection stud and the pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element are coplanar, and the soil reinforcing element is coupled with a connector lead of the plurality of connector leads such that the soil reinforcing element swivels in a horizontal plane about the connector lead; and a screen disposed on the wire facing.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a strut having a first end coupled with the vertical facing and a second end coupled with the horizontal element, the strut being configured to maintain the vertical facing at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal element.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the soil reinforcing element is coupled with only one vertical wire of the pair of vertical wires of the connector lead via the connector, the connector being hooked onto the vertical wire adjacent an intersection of the vertical wire and a first facing cross wire of the plurality of facing cross wires.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein a portion of a connection device is disposed in an opening defined by the first facing cross wire and the connector, the connection device having a first end coupled with a second facing cross wire above the first facing cross wire and a second end disposed at or adjacent a third facing cross wire below the first facing cross wire. 